Shop the best baby light projectors and save £10 on the Tommee Tippee Dreammaker

The best baby light projectors 2024

by Georgina Terry |
Updated on

When it comes to your baby's sleep cycle, we parents are willing to try just about all the baby sleep aids and baby night lights to help them drift off, and this is where the best baby light projectors come in. Whether that is a star projector, a whole galaxy projector or even a soothing sunset, these soothing baby sleep aids could help calm your little one to sleep and keep them occupied if they do wake in the night.

Even better? If you do have to make a trip into their room in the small hours, a projector will negate the need for turning on a bright overhead light, similar to a breastfeeding night light. This means that both of you should get back to sleep quicker. Result.

Black Friday deals on baby light projectors

While Black Friday officially starts on 29th November, many retailers have already slashed the prices on their products so you can save money on the everything from Black Friday baby deals to baby monitors. Here at Mother&Baby, we're keeping an eye on the prices of parenting essentials and comparing them across the web so we can be confident you're getting the best deals possible. If you're thinking of buying a baby light projectors, here are the best Black Friday deals we've found. We'll be updating this page with all the best deals so stay tuned and if you see the deal you want, run don't walk! We often see the best deals sell out.

Shop the best baby light projector Black Friday deals at: Amazon | Argos | Very | John Lewis

SAVE £10: Tommee Tippee Dreammaker Nightlight and Baby sleep aid- Was £30, now £20

Save 22%: Vtech V-Hush Sleep Training Soother – Was £59.99, now £46.99

Save 37%: Moredig Night Light for Kids - Was £29.99, now £18.99

Save 32%: Kids Night Light - Was £24.99, now £16.99

Save 25%: Chicco Next2 Stars Night Light Projector – Was £39.90, now £29.90

Save £5: Personalised Animal Alphabet LED Colour Changing Night Light - Was £26.99, now 21.99

Save £25: V-Hush Mini Soother- Was £40, now £25

Although these light projectors might be made specifically for babies, many toddlers, older children, and even adults also find them calming and use them as brilliant toilet night lights for kids (and grown-ups). There's also no need to exclusively use them at bedtime. Whether you're having a little disco party in your kitchen or fancy getting things cosy for a movie night in, light projectors are very versatile.

Best baby light projectors at a glance:

Best overall light projector: Vtech V-Hush Sleep Training Soother – Buy now on Amazon UK
Best star projector: Moredig Star Projector Night Light – Buy now on Amazon UK
Best rotating projector: Kids Night Light – Buy now on Amazon UK
Best baby light projector for co-sleeping: Chicco Next2 Stars Night Light Projector – Buy now on Amazon UK

To help you find the best baby light projector for you and your baby, our parent testers have tested these light projectors, considering the light designs, ease of use, power, and safety features to make your decision easier.

The best light projectors for babies 2024:

SAVE £10

Best overall light projector

Mother&Baby
Price: £49.99 (was £59.99)

Your baby will have a good night’s sleep with this sleep training programme. With a personal voice recording to allow your baby to hear your reassuring voice even if you aren’t there, this night light plays a range of soothing songs and beautiful sounds for your baby. Featuring a range of multi-coloured night lights & glow-on-the-ceiling, your little one will enjoy 50 bedtime stories, 100 classical music, 10 lullabies, and 10 natural sounds pre-set into the unit. Our mum tester Lucy loved how well this fit into her nursery. "This is a fantastic device that is an all in one, which has saved space and looks great!"

It’s charged using a rechargeable battery, which is ideal for you to use both at home and outside without any wires when required. The LED display on the projector clearly shows you the time and room temperature and even features a timer when needed. Mum Lucy said, "the automatic thermometer’s temperature display is brilliant and clear to see without creating too much light if your little one likes a dark room. The range of volume on the speaker, which is Bluetooth and can connect to pretty much any device, is surprisingly wide too."

It’s operated using the phone app, meaning if you hear your baby stir, you can alter the settings to help lull them back to sleep. Do check before purchasing, however, that your smartphone is compatible with the app, as it’s not compatible with every device. This connectivity however did prove an issue for mum tester Lucy. "As it is Bluetooth, every sound coming from you phone for example, is projected into your baby’s nursery. Candy crush sound effects and text typing have been two sounds that have been played mistakenly whilst using the Vtech Hush!" Lucy says. For this reason Lucy preferred to operate it manually. "It is particularly handy that you only need to touch the top of the hush with your palm to change settings. Different colour lighting such as red is also an option and you are able to dim or brighten the light to your baby’s liking using your palm again. The image projector is surprisingly clear and it isn’t too stimulating that it causes too much of a distraction before bed."

Pros

  • This projector features an LED clock, timer and ambient temperature sensor.
  • It includes built-in sleeping programs, which will help your child's sleeping patterns.
  • It allows you to record your own content to be played through it for your baby.
  • The projector has 100 classical songs, 100 bedtime stories, 10 lullabies and 10 nature sounds.
  • There are 6 soothing projection scenes and 256 colours to choose from.
  • You can connect your smartphone to it via Bluetooth and control it via the MyVTechSoother app.

Cons

  • The app isn't compatible with all smartphones.

Best three-in-one mobile and projector

MOTHER&BABY

This Infantino Dream Buddies 3-in-1 all-action projector actually does much more than just light up your little one's bedroom; it's a three-in-one projector, mobile, and musical item. It's designed to grow with your baby; start off with it set up as a cot-side mobile, then when you're past the mobile stage, it can be a cot projector, and then on to a table-top projector as your toddler grows. Our mum reviewer, Ellie, said, Overall, I really like this projector and that it is great for each stage of my baby's life. It projects different coloured shapes onto the ceiling, which my baby loves looking at while we settle down with his bedtime bottle."

Easy to set up and use, it is battery powered, which is great as it means that I do not have to worry about any wires while it is attached to the cot, and it is easy to remove from the cot, so it is portable. It is made from sturdy plastic, and I like that the batteries are secure but are easily accessible if they need to be changed. It is a great size, not too bulky and could fit in your bag to be taken away on holiday etc. Our mum reviewer also loved the design, commenting, "It came in grey, white and green, which match my son’s safari-themed room perfectly and looks really smart in his room even when not in use."

The only negative our tester found with the projector function is that the room has to be very dark for the shapes to be seen. "It wouldn’t work very well for nap times during the day if you want to use it as the projector." She said.

It also plays different sounds, from musical tunes to a few different white noise options. "My baby enjoys listening to these" our tester commented, "however, the volume is quite low and doesn’t turn up as loud as other white noise/music machines I’ve got. I also find that when the mobile is on I can
hear it spinning around." She said.

Pros

  • It has 3 in 1 functionality; it can be a projector, musical mobile, and nightlight, changing with the different stages of development.
  • This projector features a peek 'n' see mirror, multicoloured lights and a removable sloth toy that can be used on strollers.
  • It plays 10 musical melodies and natural sounds.
  • It also includes a 20-minute auto shut-off timer, saving the battery life.
  • This also features a multicoloured projection of the moon and stars.
  • There is a sleeping mode to help soothe and a wake-up mode to simulate daylight.

Cons

  • It isn't a universal fit, so doesn't fit all cots.
Age suitability: From 0+ months
Power:Three AAA batteries required
Uses: Mobile, cot projector and table-top volume control
Auto shut-offYes
Music: 10 different musical melodies and sounds
Dimensions: ‎41 x 13 x 30.5 cm

Save 3%

Best underwater-themed light projector for baby

Mother&Baby
Price: £124.12

This Pabobo Underwater Effects Projector Whale light projector takes on a whimsical underwater theme to help lull your little one to sleep. With musical starfish in the range, too, the soothing white noise of the ocean will have them asleep in no time. And when they finally nod off? The auto shut-off technology will mean the light projector isn't on all night – a very convenient feature for busy mums and dads. One mum tester said her daughter was "instantly transfixed by the waves, and the soothing music really calms her - particularly during those nighttime witching hours!"

Our Products Editor Lorna White loved the fun addition of sea creatures in the light display and the sweet and soft cuddly whale it sits in which makes it safer for little hands to hold. With three different light intensities, you can tailor the projector to your space and how bright you want to keep your baby's room at bedtime. You also don't need to worry about the plush toy getting dirty as it is easily removed from the projector for machine washing.

The main downside parent reviewers found was the sound quality wasn't quite as good as they'd hoped. Our tester also found that getting the batteries in there was a bit of a challenge as the instructions weren’t clear on what type of screwdriver was required so we struggled to find one to fit at first. Once we found the right one though after some trial and error it was very quick and easy to set up.

Pros

  • It includes an auto shut-off, which ensures it turns off after 20 or 40 minutes.
  • This features calming ocean sounds, white noise, lullabies and underwater projections.
  • The light and sound can be used separately or together.
  • It has 3 different light intensities, allowing the perfect atmosphere to be achieved.
  • The projector is removable, allowing you to machine wash the soft, plush fabric.

Cons

  • Sound quality isn't quite as clear as some other models
Age suitability: 0+ months
Sounds: Plays lullabies and white noise
Light level:3 light intensities
Auto shut-off: Yes, after 25 mins
Portable: Yes
Care: Can be washed
Dimensions: 30 x 11 x 26 cm

SAVE £15

Best small projector

MOTHER&BABY
Price: £25 (Was £40)

www.argos.co.uk

The V-Hush Mini sleep soother is ideal for an easy-to-set-up projector with a range of different colour and sound options. It is particularly useful if your little ones regularly travel or have sleepovers at relatives' houses and you need something portable.

Our mum tester, Carly, says this sleep soother is fantastic thanks to the easy set-up,. She didn't even need the instructions. "When you’re using it, you can do the basics through the speaker alone, but for ease, my preference is to connect via Bluetooth and use the app, " she says.

The clever app allows you to change both the colour and brightness using a sliding scale. "The speaker is also impressive, the stories aren’t perfect in terms of clarity, but everything else is. The
microphone-to-speaker option is great quality though!" Carly commented.

The soother is wireless and needs charging via a plug, which is included, but it can be transported without being plugged in and lasts longer nap times. Our tester, Carly, also found it very durable, commenting, "It’s also light and small enough to pick up in one hand, so if I need to take it upstairs to put my little one down, I can do so without any concerns. I’m pretty confident that if I knocked it off my bedside table during a night feed, it would simply roll to the floor and not come apart, which I think is partly down to its compact size!"

Its neutral design means it looks good on any bedside table or baby nursery, which is an added bonus. Carly's favourite feature is the projection: "I can put my baby down and keep them entertained with the stars and moon projector as I ease them into their nighttime routine. What’s even better is that the app allows me to set up my routine, too, so it will switch off when it’s no longer needed."

Pros

  • Small, so fits easily into any room
  • 250 colours to choose from
  • 10 stories, classical songs, lullabies and sounds to choose from
  • Allows you to record and upload your own voice
  • It's easy to use, portable and lightweight, meaning it can be taken with you when travelling.
  • A rechargeable battery allows for 8-12 hours of use

Cons

  • Some parents found the clarity of the stories wasn't all that clear
Age suitability:From birth
Dimensions:‎16.2 x 13.1 x 12.8 cm
Sound settings: 10 stories, 10 classical tunes, 10 lullabies, and 10 natural sounds
Colours: 250
Power: Rechargeable battery

SAVE 37%

Best baby light projector for co-sleeping

Chicco Next2 Stars Night Light Projector
Price: £24.95 (was £39)

This lovely little Chicco Next2 Stars Night Light Projector is universally fit, meaning it can be attached to a number of different cribs. It's suitable from birth and comes complete with a removable, washable soft toy for extra cuddles. The night light features 30 minutes of music and projection, including classical, new age, and nature sounds, to soothe the baby to sleep.

Parents loved how it mesmerised their tots and also liked that it was activated by the sound of a baby crying. "It calms the baby down when she's sleepy, and the stars on the ceiling mesmerise her. I can turn the music volume up and down as needed, and it is activated by the baby crying. It fits next to me perfectly," one mum commented.

You can also alter the volume to suit your needs and the included toy is machine washable for your convenience. The main downside was how quickly it gets through batteries requiring many battery changes for nightly use.

Pros

  • The projector includes a soft toy which is removable and washable.
  • It has cry activation, so is activated by your baby crying, providing soothing lights and sound.
  • This can be attached to various cots or put on the side.
  • It allows for the volume to be adjusted, enabling it to be set to a suitable level.
  • The projector features 30 minutes of relaxing music from a variety of different genres to choose from.
  • It has 3 light effects included also.

Cons

  • With it being battery-operated it uses a lot of batteries.
  • While cry activation is useful, it might also activate unintentionally with other noises, potentially disrupting sleep.
Age suitability: From 0+ months
Cry detection:Yes
Lights: Automatic colour change: Night projection, soft projection and nightlight
Sound: Different music genres
Power: Batteries not included: 3 AA batteries required
Dimensions: 54.7 x 34.3 x 23.7 cm
Weight:332 grams

Best for travel

Mother&Baby

Compact, lightweight and easy to travel with, the Benny Bunny night light impressed our dad tester Ryan when testing with his 4 month old. "We’ve used it as a projector when settling her before bedtime – giving a nice gentle light projection on the ceiling during bedtime and nighttime feeds. She clearly enjoys star-gazing at the projection and it certainly relaxes her."

The night light is very portable, and our tester found that being able to take it anywhere to provide a familiar environment for little one was great. Simple and easy to use, the battery life is impressive. "We haven’t needed to change/charge the 3x AAA batteries in the 2 months we have had the product." Says dad, Ryan.

Compared to other night light projectors we tested, the brightness is good although, our tester did find the room does need to be pitch black for full effect. It still works with a small amount of light in the room, but not particularly clearly and the colour richness is lost easily.

Compared to other night lights/projectors, our tester thought the Benny Bunny seemed fairly highly priced considering there are just 3 colour options to choose from. "This product also does not play any sounds, which is a drawback again compared to others available." Ryan continued.

Pros

  • Great for travelling with
  • Has a 45 minute sleep timer

Cons

  • Doesn't play any sounds

Best for older kids

Badabulle Plush Baby Nightlight - BarnabyBadabulle

We love the fun strawberry shaped soft toy night light, designed to help them so sleep more soundly. Featuring five soothing tunes and two white noises to calm baby, it also has automatic switch off after 30 minutes. Our mum tester Katherine said her 1 year old loved the design. "She loves pressing the buttons and likes holding the arms/legs and carrying it around. The sounds are really soothing and calming and the strawberry design of the teddy is cute."

With unique projections for a soft lighting effect, the cuddly toy can be removed and is machine washable. "The light is really bright and makes a lovely projection with the nice pattern. It would be great if it was red light as this would be better for nighttime, I never understand why night lights/lights for night time/sleep time are anything other than red light." Says our tester Katherine.

Our tester found the size ideal little ones and the light wasn't too heavy. "The batteries are really easy to fit and overall the electrical part seems really sturdy." Katherine said.

Pros

  • Suitable for young kids and older kids
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Doesn't have a red light option
  • Ease of Use
    5.0
  • Design and Aesthetics
    3.0
  • Portability
    5.0
  • Noise Level
    5.0
  • Ease of set up
    5.0

Best projector with audio stories

Mother&Baby

Our products editor Lorna White was very impressed with the CloudBox. From the four different projection options in four different colours to the 36 original stories and themes to choose from, your little one won’t get bored of this in a hurry.

"I love how parents also get the option to record their very own story personalised to their little one." Our tester commented. The design is also adorable, and we think it would look lovely in any nursery. It's also easy to set up and use despite all the different options.

The only downside is that it has to be sat pretty close to the wall to clearly see the projection, so it’s important to keep that in mind when deciding where to place it in baby’s room.

Pros

  • Also features stories as well as projections.
  • Easy to set up and operate
  • Personalised recording option.
  • It automatically turns off after 15 minutes of no story or projection.

Cons

  • Projection isn't as good as some other options.

Best for larger rooms

Mother&Baby
Price: £95.62

Another one for underwater fans, this adorable turtle friend is a great projector and very easy to set up with ease from first use. Acting as a gentle nightlight with underwater effects, two calming sounds and with a 45 minute shut off, it's ideal for helping little ones drop off.

Mother&Baby Products Editor, Lorna White found it particularly great for projecting onto larger rooms with higher ceilings, something which you can struggle to do with many nightlights. "It really did make the whole room feel like it’s in the ocean. You can either have the waves still or moving and you have the option of listening to calming music or sea sounds. We would have liked the addition of other sea creatures in the sea, but overall, we were very impressed by this nightlight." She commented.

Pros

  • Great for larger rooms
  • It has two choices of projections – moving or still
  • Auto shut off function after 45 minutes
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Not very much variation on the projections which some tots may find boring

SAVE £7

Best light projector for Paw Patrol fans

Mother&Baby
Price: £12.99 (WAS £19.99)

www.very.co.uk

This projector projects 24 colour PAW Patrol images onto your little one's ceiling with clear and precise images up to one metre wide. Our mum tester and Mother&Baby's Senior Digital Writer Hannah Carroll admits that getting her three sons to bed can be tricky at times. "My son Frank is terribly afraid of the dark, and we’ve tried everything, fairy lights around his bed, a lamp, even leaving the hallway light on. Nothing worked until we found this projector. Now, every night as part of our bedtime routine, he chooses a projection to display on the ceiling. He gets into bed, and while the light from the projector isn’t enough to brighten the whole room, it gives a gentle glow."

Hannah loved the soft light for bedtime. "This helps because it’s not bright enough to keep him awake but still soothing enough to reassure him that no monsters have snuck in. Even though he’s a bit past the Paw Patrol phase, he seems comforted knowing the Mighty Pups are watching over him. Overall, it's been a huge success."

Pros

  • Projects 24 different images
  • Easy to change the slides

Cons

  • Doesn't include batteries

7% OFF

Best light projector for babies up to the age of two

Expert rating:
5.0
Tiny Love Magical Night Mobile
Price: £95.27

This Tiny Love Magical Night Mobile boasts a three-in-one design that will soothe newborns to two-year-olds to sleep. It has an easily interchangeable image projection canopy (for younger babies), a music box with ceiling projection (for older babies), and a starry night lamp (for toddlers), giving you a night mobile that grows with your baby through the years. It was also awarded Gold in the best sleep product category in the Mother&Baby Awards 2015.

Another aspect parents loved is that you could turn the volume down, with one parent saying, "There are 9 sounds to choose from and, what is important, the volume can be turned quite low, unlike in other mobiles I came across." They also loved the versatility and different modes of this projector. One mum said, "There are also two other modes: one, where the canopy can be removed, and projection appears on the ceiling and another mode, where the actual mobile becomes a free-standing device with light and sounds. I found this very innovative and useful, especially with a very quickly growing child who can enjoy this mobile a lot longer than other similar devices."

The only major downside was the design, which some parents found pretty gaudy. It may not be to everyone's taste.

Read our full Tiny Love Magical Night Mobile review

Pros

  • It has a 3-in-1 functionality: it can be a crib projector, bedside starry night lamp, or tabletop nightlight.
  • Suitable for babies and toddlers, ensuring long-term use.
  • The projector features 30 minutes of 9 relaxing songs from various genres.
  • It has an adjustable volume, allowing it to be set to a comfortable level.
  • It comes with a remote which can be used to control it, adding convenience.
  • The projector includes an automatic shut-off feature to save battery life.

Cons

  • Some parents commented that the motor noise was loud.
  • With it being battery-operated it uses a lot of batteries.
Age suitability:From 0+ months
Adjustable: Yes
Movement:Spins
Sound: Nine non-repetitive melodies, three music categories
Power: 4 x C/LR14 batteries<meta charset="utf-8">
Light: Star projector and night light in one
Dimensions: 28 x 28 x 53 cm

SAVE £10

Best stylish light projector for baby

Expert rating:
4.5
baby light projectors
Price: £55 (was £65)
Alternative retailers
Kohl's$45.00View offer
Macy's$45.00View offer
Albee Baby$45.00View offer

This Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother is a brilliant, flexible product with various sounds, from calming heartbeats to calming tunes and star projections for little eyes to follow. It looks great in the baby's room, too. It also won silver in the best sleep product category in the Mother&Awards 2017. One mum reviewer said, "for newborns, the white noise is perfect (and really works). The stars give them something to look at and for their eyes to follow - my little boy loves looking at it."

Not only is it great for newborns and young babies, but parents of older kids found it was a great addition to their bedrooms and sleep routine. One parent said, "For older children, the stars look fabulous in their bedrooms and help them drift off to sleep watching them. There is also music for older ones with different time settings."

Some of our testers would have liked the addition of a clock and temperature gauge to make this projector even more multi-functional.

Read our full Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother review

Pros

  • The Nightlight Soother plays 4 melodies and 4 nature sounds through its fabric speaker wings.
  • It includes a timer with settings for 15, 30, and 60 minutes, which it will turn off after and help save the battery life.
  • It has a glowing nightlight belly which can be adjusted to the preferred brightness.
  • It also has an adjustable pivot projection of the moon and stars, which can be used alongside the nightlight.
  • The Nightlight Soother is also available in an Elephant design.
  • This is battery-operated.

Cons

  • Some users felt like it could also feature a clock or temperature gauge.
  • It has a limited projection range, therefore limiting its effectiveness in bigger rooms.
Age suitability:From 0+months
Lights: Star and moon ceiling projection and glowing night light belly
Sounds: Features four lullabies and four nature sounds with volume control
Power: Electric cord
Auto shut-off: Yes
Dimensions: 14 x 11.4 x 15.2 cm

SAVE 15%

Best 3-in-1 projector

baby light projectors tiny dreamer
Price: £38.21 (was £44.95)

The Tiny Love Tiny Dreamer in Boho Chic is an enchanting 3-in-1 musical projector that will soothe your little one. It is a music player, projector and nightlight, so it has everything you and your baby need for peaceful nights and also naptimes, as one mum found, commenting, “I found this product to be particularly helpful at nap time!! I have started putting my baby down in her cot for nap times, but she is going through a phase of crying when I leave the room. I used this to put on the star projector and the lullabies to distract her enough for me to be able to leave, and in turn, she put herself to sleep.”

Not only is the design a lot cooler than some of the other light projectors, but parents also love the fact that the volume can be easily adjusted. The fact that it's rechargeable is also a major selling point, with one parent saying, “It is rechargeable, which is very important when it’ll be left on up to twelve hours a night. It can also be played repeatedly overnight, whereas some noise machines stop after a while.”

The only downside some parents found was that the smaller size meant the projection wasn’t as strong as some other models, and it struggled in larger nurseries.

Pros

  • It has 3-in-1 functionality, it can be a projector, music box, and nightlight, changing with the different stages of development.
  • It has adjustable volume allowing it to be set at the preferred level.
  • The projector features a unique shushing sound, 17 lullabies and melodies and 5 white sounds.
  • This has an MP3 player built-in, allowing you to create your own music playlist.
  • When turned on its side, you can enjoy a starlight projection.

Cons

  • Compared to other projectors, this one is quite small in size.

How to choose a light projector

**Budget—**First, consult your budget. As with all baby gear, you don't want to spend a lot, especially on something you're not sure your little one will like.

**Power—**Check where the electrical sockets are in relation to your baby's crib. You don't want your baby dazzled by the light of a projector or able to grab it from its cot.

Safety features – Consider how important having an auto shut-off feature is. These are particularly useful if you're watching how much energy you're using or if you can get anxious about electrical equipment staying on in your baby's room.

**Extra features—**With all the different sleep aids you can buy for babies, it's often just easier to have an all-in-one light projector that also features lullabies, white noise, a clock, temperature reading, and more to give you one less thing to worry about.

What types of light projectors are there?

When choosing a light projector for your nursery, you can choose from a few different models, bringing the night sky indoors.

**Star projector—**This type of device can be quite simplistic in design and often features a projection of star-shaped patterns that can be lit up in different colours to soothe a young child to sleep.

**Galaxy projectors—**A little bit more realistic, galaxy projectors feature exactly that: stars, the moon, planets, and even the Milky Way. They are gorgeous to look at and can be kept as your child gets older to teach them about the cosmos.

Sunset lamp or moonlight projector - If you're looking to pick something that you will also enjoy during a nighttime feed, how about a sunset lamp? It projects a warming golden hour light that mimics the sun going down. Or how about a moonlight lamp? An orb decorated with the same pattern as the surface of the moon emits a warm, calming glow.

How Mother&Baby selected the best light projectors

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our growing army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right products, and we listen to what you say as well.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group#mumtribe also often provides great insights as to which products mums really like best and why, helping us highlight the products that meet your needs.

For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested, and you can find full reviews from our mum testers provided on the product page. The winners and runners-up for each category will then appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

Testing the best light projectors

When it comes to the best light projectors, we consider brightness, resolution, and ease of power and charging. We also consider a variety of budgets, portability, design, and, of course, the quality of the products we feature.

The VTech V-Hush Pro Soothing Sleep Trainer came out as the best light projector overall thanks to its clever design features that allow you to record your own voice for a baby. The only main downside is the smart features aren’t compatible with all smartphones like the Star and Galaxy Projector Light with LED Nebula Cloud is. While projectors like the Lifemax Star Projector Cube and Kids Night Light offer great brightness and resolution, they’re best suited to sit in one single place. For a more portable option, you may want to opt for a smaller option like the Babymoov Dreamy Projection Nightlight And Sleep Trainer and Tiny Love Boho Chic Tiny Dreamer.

If you’re on the hunt for something a bit more durable for your baby’s nursery, the Infantino Dream Buddies 3-in-1 Projector and Tiny Love Magical Night Mobile are designed to last as both a mobile and light projector in one, making them excellent value for money if you’re after both a light projector and mobile.

For a simple option that’s easy to set up and use, the TEKFUN Kids Night Light Projector and Moredig Star Projector Night Light projectors are both easy options. As you’ll have noticed, many of these light projectors come with sounds like the Chicco Next2 Stars Night Light Projector and Skip Hop Moonlight And Melodies Nightlight Soother. Both allow you to adjust noise levels and are a great size.

Benefits of light projectors for babies (and mums!)

Not only do they make a room feel cosier and look very cute, but they also have some brilliant benefits.

They make night changes and night feeds a lot easier as you're not scrambling around in the dark. A gentle light may also help you stay awake during those night feeds.

In terms of benefits for your baby, the science to back this is very limited. This is because light of any kind, particularly blue light, can have a detrimental effect on your baby's sleep. Particularly if the light is moving, this can even encourage the baby to stay awake for longer.

In short, they provide more benefits to us parents than they do to our little ones.

How often will you use a light projector?

If you're looking to set a bedtime routine with your baby, then it's likely every night, your light projector will be used so they can soothe themselves to sleep while taking in the patterns projected onto the walls and ceiling.

How much money should I spend on a light projector?

There's no need to break your budget when it comes to selecting the perfect star projector or galaxy projector. Our picks range from £20 to £50.

Are light projectors safe?

Yes, as long as you follow the basic rules for plug and socket safety, including keeping all electrical lights and small parts away from children. Also, do keep an eye out for product recalls.

What colour light is best for babies?

Shades of amber and red are best for newborns and babies as they mimic the colour of a twilight sky, helping them drift off to sleep. These colours can also help relax the muscles, which can be helpful if your baby has been stirring in the night.

Ambers and reds also have longer wavelengths which means they won't disrupt their heart rhythm.

Do newborns need total darkness?

To give your baby (and let's be honest, you) the best chance of sleeping through the night, it's a good idea to keep your baby's room as dark as possible during the night. This is the case for both newborns, those over 6 months in their own room and also toddlers. Just like we can get woken up by light, they can, too, so it's important to keep any light to a minimum.

The light from light projectors and night lights are dim enough not to disturb the baby's sleep but light enough to provide some comfort and relaxation and also some guidance when you are entering their room so you can see clearly.

Georgina Terry is a digital editor and regularly writes for Mother&Baby. She's mum to an extremely handsome toddler, and her interests include rock and roll, weekends away and cheese.

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.